Race equality in the NHS: Raising the standard Jude Williams, Lead for Public Health March 7 th 2005

2 Our statutory roles Assessment of the provision of health care including public health in the NHS and independent sectors Annual ratings for NHS trusts Regulation of the independent sector through licensing and annual inspections Consideration of complaints which NHS trusts have not resolved Investigations into serious service failures Coordination of healthcare inspection activity

3 National Standards, Local Action – Assessing against the Government’s standards seven domains –safety –clinical cost and effectiveness –governance –patient focus –accessible and responsive care –care environment and amenities –public health

4 Getting the basics right – Core standards assessments Annual review Core standards Getting the basics right Developmental standards Making and sustaining progress National targets Local targets Progress against developmental standards Existing targets Use of resources Core standards Other regulatory findings

5 Race equality and the core standards assessment explicit reference in standards to equality and human rights, for example: –C7(e) Healthcare organisations must challenge discrimination, promote equality and respect human rights – C17 The views of patients, their carers and others are sought and taken into account in designing, planning, delivering and improving healthcare services.

6 Health inequalities and the new role for reviewing public health three drivers –public health in Health and Social Care Act 2003 –public health in Department of Health (DH) standards: –national and local targets health inequalities are integral to public health

7 Reviewing public health includes: improvements to health of the public and public health systems healthcare organisations’ –leadership / support for partners in delivery of health improvement –commissioning and direct delivery whole delivery systems for improving health and reducing health inequality tackling health inequalities is integral –ensuring fair access to all for healthcare services in relation to differential need –targeted health promotion/disease prevention services and programmes to address health inequalities

8 Public health strands of work: 1 Annual assessments of core standards, including national targets C22 and C23 national targets have new health inequality floor elements 2 Improvement reviews: tobacco control / sexual health 05/06 local area reviews to test developmental public health standard (D13) 06/07 3Integration: ensuring all Healthcare Commission activities take account of improving health and reducing health inequalities

9 Within the Healthcare Commission holistic approach to all strands of diversity board level and executive team commitment organisational three-year action plan: ‘Promoting human rights and reductions in in inequalities in health and healthcare’ Strategic goal – commitment to ensure an explicit focus on inequalities, human rights and diversity

10 To conclude race equality for the Healthcare Commission Race Equality in the NHS –Race Relations (Amendment) Act three-year implementation anniversary May 2005 NHS Race Equality Guide – –Important to make use of existing work and continue to build upon in the future Using the opportunities it has within its various roles